The ADU University is a program offering a formal goal-setting and accountability system of dressage training and education, supported by a volunteer mentor. It is for serious dressage enthusiasts, in order to improve their progress and advancement up the levels of USDF dressage. It is a structured support system for developing and maintaining discipline in the life-long learning process of dressage.

ADU Members who wish to participate in this program will formally sign up for it with the ADU University “Dean”, preferably at the beginning of the year, although any time is fine. With the guidance of an approved qualified volunteer dressage mentor, the student will set the goals that they wish to achieve for themselves for that year. This will include advancing through a specific level of dressage, and a plan to follow a progressive riding and training program for the upcoming year. The program will be laid out on paper and the member pledges to follow the program to the best of their abilities.

The program, in varying degrees, may include the pledge to: ride a number of times a week, take a number of instructional lessons a month, attend a number of ADU workshops, practice dressage shows, DVD Nights, read dressage magazines and books, and volunteer or compete at USDF recognized shows (USEA shows for Eventers, USDFBC shows for Sporthorse Breeders).

The mentor will check in with the student on a regular basis throughout the year to evaluate if they are fulfilling their pledges. Together they will assess the student’s progress, fill out evaluation and summary report forms, all in a relationship of honesty, encouragement and support. A Mid-Term and an End of Year Summary Report are required to be filled out and sent to the ADU Unviersity Dean. All ADU University participants will be recognized, and successful “ADU University Graduates” will be honored at the annual fall ADU Membership Party.

Levels of Commitment to Dressage Education and Training

Five levels of structured training tracks will be offered, the naming of these uses the University model of rigor that the participant student aspires to. The student will choose which they pledge to follow for the year.

“Post-Doctorate Level”

(Recommended for those already certified/licensed by USDF/USEF as Instructors, L Program graduates, Judges, Technical Delegates, etc, or who plan to attend these training programs in the upcoming year.)

Student pledges to do a MINIMUM of each of the following:

• Attend 1 - 2 USDF L Program sessions, or USDF Instructor Certification sessions, or USDF Trainer’s Conferences, or USDF Symposium, or USDF Convention
• Attend 1 - 2 USDF Continuing Education programs or USDF University approved Clinic/Educational events
• Read monthly Dressage Today or USDF Connection magazines
• Read 1 book on the USDF Recommended Reading List
• Write 1 horse related article for publication in newsletters, newspapers, magazines, internet etc. or give 1 oral educational presentation at an ADU educational event.
• Organize 1 ADU Educational event or special project.
• Instruct 1 Workshop or Clinic or moderate 1 ADU DVD Night
• Judge 1 Schooling/Practice/Unrecognized/Recognized dressage show or 1 Ride-a-Test clinic
• Serve on an ADU Committee or as an ADU University mentor
• Participate in 2 ADU Board meetings or attend the USDF Region 9 Meeting

“Doctorate Level” or “PhD Level”

(Recommended for the dressage student, regardless of current riding level, who has the ability and desire to devote a large amount of time and resources to riding, training, and education, as well as to compete at USDF shows.)

Student pledges to do a MINIMUM of each of the following:

• Riding - 4 – 7 rides/wk
• Lessons - take 2 – 4 dressage lessons/month
• USEA Shows - compete in 2 - 4/yr
• USDF Shows – compete in 1 – 2/yr
  • (remember that sometimes 1 USDF show “weekend” is actually 2 USDF shows)
• ADU Workshops and/or ADU Practice shows – ride in 2/yr
  • (organizing or presenting a topic will substitute for riding)
  • (may substitute additional USDF or USEA shows)
  • (may substitute 2 non-ADU schooling shows or Ride-a-Test clinics for   each ADU Workshop/Practice show)
• ADU DVD Nights – attend 2/yr or host 1/yr
• Scribe at 1 USDF or USEA show or schooling show or test riding workshop/clinic
• Serve on an ADU Committee or as an ADU University mentor or organize 1 ADU function or special project.
• Read 1 book on the USDF Recommended Reading List
• Read monthly Dressage Today or USDF Connection magazines
• Write 1 horse related article for publication in newsletters, newspapers, magazines, internet, etc. or give 1 oral educational presentation at an ADU educational event.

“Masters Level”

(Recommended for the dressage student, regardless of current riding level, who has some time and/or resource restrictions, but who still plans to compete at USDF shows.)

Student pledges to do a MINIMUM of each of the following:

• Riding - 3 – 4 rides/wk
• Lessons - take 1 – 2 dressage lessons/month
• USEA Shows – compete in 2/yr, or compete in 1/yr and volunteer at/watch 1/yr
• USDF Shows – compete in 1/yr
  • (remember that sometimes 1 USDF show “weekend” is actually 2 USDF shows)
• ADU Workshops and/or ADU Practice shows – ride in 1/yr
  • (organizing or presenting a topic will substitute for riding)
  • (may substitute additional USDF or USEA shows)
  • (may substitute 2 non-ADU schooling shows or Ride-a-Test clinics for   each ADU Workshop/Practice show)
• ADU DVD Nights – attend 2/yr or host 1/yr
• Scribe at 1 USDF or USEA show or schooling show or test riding workshop/clinic
• Serve on an ADU Committee or as an ADU University mentor or organize 1 ADU function or special project.
• Read 1 book on the USDF Recommended Reading List
• Read monthly Dressage Today or USDF Connection magazines

“Bachelor Level”

(Recommended for the dressage student, regardless of current riding level, who has serious time and/or resource restrictions.)

Student pledges to do a MINIMUM of each of the following:

• Riding - 1 – 2 rides/wk
• Lessons - take 1 dressage lesson/month and watch 1 dressage lesson/month
• USEA Shows – volunteer at/watch 2/yr
• USDF Shows – volunteer at/watch 2/yr
  • (remember that sometimes 1 USDF show “weekend” is actually 2 USDF shows)
• ADU Workshops and/or ADU Practice shows – ride in 1/yr and volunteer/audit 1/yr
  • (organizing or presenting a topic will substitute for riding)
  • (may substitute additional USDF or USEA shows)
  • (may substitute 2 non-ADU schooling shows or Ride-a-Test clinics for   each ADU Workshop/Practice show)
• ADU DVD Nights – attend 3/yr; or host 1 and attend 1/yr
• Read 1 book on the USDF Recommended Reading List, or monthly Dressage Today or USDF Connection magazines

“Associate level”

(Recommended for the rider who lacks the time and/or financial resources to pursue their goals now, but want to stay in the educational loop.)

Student pledges to do a MINIMUM of each of the following:

• Riding -  1 – 2 rides/wk
• Lessons - watch 2 dressage lessons/month and take 1 dressage lesson every 2 months
• USEA Shows – volunteer at/watch 2 – 3/yr
• USDF Shows – volunteer at/watch 2 - 3/yr
  • (remember that sometimes 1 USDF show “weekend” is actually 2 USDF shows)
• ADU Workshops and/or ADU Practice shows – volunteer/audit 2 - 3/yr
  • (organizing or presenting a topic will substitute for riding)
  • (may substitute additional USDF or USEA shows)
  • (may substitute 2 non-ADU schooling shows or Ride-a-Test clinics for   each ADU Workshop/Practice show)
• Read 1 book on the USDF Recommended Reading List, or monthly Dressage Today or USDF Connection magazines
• ADU DVD Nights – attend 3/yr; or host 1 and attend 1/yr

“Continuing Education”

(Recommended for all dressage enthusiasts.)

• Participating, auditing or riding in USDF related training, certification, or educational programs
• Participating, auditing or riding in other horse related training, certification, educational programs or demonstrations.
• Attending ADU Board/Membership Meetings, and/or the USDF Region 9 Meeting
• Attending the USDF Annual Convention and/or Symposium
• Reading a book on the USDF Recommended Reading List, and/or other dressage and horse related books
• Reading Dressage Today, USDF Connection, or other dressage and horse related magazines
• Reading e-newsletters and internet articles with dressage and horse related topics
• Watching dressage related videos, DVDs, webnars, etc
• Writing horse related articles for publication in newsletters, newspapers, magazines, internet etc.
• Giving oral horse related educational presentations at horse functions.
• Auditing or riding in dressage related clinics, or horse or rider health or fitness related clinics
• Auditing or riding in dressage related camps
• Riding in other GMO or private schooling dressage related shows
• Attending or competing in Sporthorse Breed Shows, Sporthorse Breeders’ Inspections and/or Conventions
• Attending or competing in Eventing competitions or clinics or schoolings with a dressage phase
• Attending or competing in Combined Driving competitions or clinics or schoolings with a dressage phase